But Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee bristled at the idea that the Tigers have decided to make the move permanent and allow Young to challenge Slade for the starting right guard position.

"I want to make it very clear, we've not made any changes to our offensive line," Lashlee said Thursday. "I really don't know why people think that."

According to both Lashlee and head coach Gus Malzahn, the move was planned long ago, part of the normal moving and shuffling the coaches planned during the spring.

"For example: Avery Young may get some reps at right guard. That doesn't mean he's not playing right tackle," Lashlee said. "That doesn't mean Chad is not playing at right guard. And sometimes we may put Chad at left guard and take Kozan out and give him a blow because at this point, we've got older veteran guys."

Young has spent four practices at right guard, with Slade -- a three-year starter who has gotten the start in 36 of his 39 career games -- working on the left behind established up-and-comer Alex Kozan.

"We’re trying to develop depth at different positions and spring, especially when you got a lot of veteran guys, you can move some guys around to see what depth look like and kind of play the what-ifs if you go through injuries next fall," Malzahn said. "You've got to have depth at guard, you've got to have depth at tackle and at center. That was by design."

The early returns on the reconfigured line have been good, at least from the perspective of the running backs, who have said it's all part of the coaches' plan to see who fits best in other positions.

"From what the coaches have done, and what they're looking at, I kind of like it," running back Corey Grant said. "It seems like the line is doing a little bit better, we're getting a little more movement in the line in the scrimmage."

For his part, Young isn't sure whether or not the move would be permanent, or whether or not he'll be back at right tackle in the fall.

"That’s really all on the coaches on who is out there," Young said Saturday.

According to Lashlee, the moves on offense -- the Tigers have also shuffled several wide receivers and mixed backups in with the No. 1 unit throughout practice -- are part of Auburn's plan to be prepared in case of injury.

"What happens if Chad Slade goes down in the middle of the season, what are we going to do then? Or what happens if Alex Kozan goes down, what are we going to do then? Maybe move this guy there," Lashlee said. "We waited until practice 7 or 8 intentionally to do that and start mixing and matching guys to see how they work and see who we can, inside our top so many guys, move guys around as we need to as the season goes on, because we never know what's going to happen."